Priests to specialize on faithful weighed down by pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — Priests in Manila will be taking lessons to specialize in fields that would enable them to offer better emotional support to those adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula underscored the need to enhance the skills of the Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM) clergy, so they can better respond to the people’s conditions including social and economic repercussions brought by the pandemic.

The cardinal aired his views over Radio Veritas recently, an article posted in CBCPNews reported.

“We also need priests who will dedicate themselves especially in the areas of psychology, counselling, these kinds of interventions,” Advincula said in a mix of Filipino and English. “We’ve seen the real need for it.”

The plan to send priests to take more advanced education to expand their skills and knowledge would be pursued even as the RCAM admitted a scarcity in priests with very few individuals entering the seminary.

“I know that compared to the population of Manila, there’s a small ratio of priests. In fact, I still need to have an inventory of our priests here and not only those in parishes, because we also have to prepare our priests to specialize on some areas so they will be also sent for further studies,” Advincula said.

He expressed gratitude to the service of all religious orders and congregations who are filling the gaps in the archdiocesan clergy.